John H. LaFave, 91, a lifelong resident of Kenneth City, Fl. and more recently of Swanzey, passed away peacefully while sleeping on Monday, November 28, 2022, at Genesis Healthcare Applewood Center in Winchester.
He was born on April 2, 1931, to the late Nellie V. (Vancyke) and Francis LaFave in New York City, NY. John was educated in New York at Laurelton High School.
After graduating from high school, John enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served his country with honor and distinction. John served time in Korea as an infantryman. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and 2 Bronze Stars. John was honorably discharged on August 28, 1955, at the rank of private E-1.
John was formerly employed by Gremlin Company in New York as a computer programmer. He spent 30 years working at Gremlin until he retired in 1993.
John loved spending his free time drawing, oil painting, and collecting sports cars, especially Mustangs. John also loved cartoon characters, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed being social with everyone.
Mr. LaFave is survived by his nieces, Mary Ellen Spencer and her husband, Marc of Wilmington, FL. Patricia Flemming and her husband William of Keene, Jeanne Harvey of Spofford, and Joanne Goodnow and her husband Gary of Swanzey, along with many cousins, extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents and his three siblings, Francis LaFave Jr., Albert LaFave, and Jeanne Jelley.
A funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 9, 2022, at St. Bernard’s Church, 173 Main St. Keene, NH. 03431. Although flowers will gladly be appreciated, the family has requested that all donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of his sister Jeannie Jelley, 166 South River Rd. Bedford, NH. 03110.
All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home and Crematories, 46 S. Winchester St. Swanzey, NH. 03446. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.
